Danny Fafinski

Summary
St. Thomas Aquinas has a very unique argument style that can be rather effective. Aquinas was
born in 1225 Sicily, Italy. He was a Dominican friar/Catholic priest who was canonized a Saint in the
Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran Church. Aquinas is considered the Doctor of the Church, father of
Thomism, and is widely recognized as the Catholic Churchs greatest theologian and philosopher.
Surely, much of Aquinas success is in due to his compelling style of argument. Aquinas wrote
his arguments in his Summa Theologica around 800 years ago in Italy. The Summa Theologica is widely
recognized as one of the most influential works in all of Western literature from both a philosophical and
theological standpoint.
Aquinas arguments are organized in an objection and response format. Aquinas uses popular
objections such as: Further, that which is done of necessity, is not meritorious. But to render to a man
what belongs to him, as justice requires, is of necessity. Therefore it is not meritorious. Yet it is by
virtuous actions that we gain merit. Therefore justice is not a virtue. (II, 58). Then later in the argument,
answers his own objection: Necessity is twofold. One arises from constraint, and this removes merit,
since it runs counter to the will. The other arises from the obligation of a command, or from the
necessity of obtaining an end, when, to wit, a man is unable to achieve the end of virtue without doing
some particular thing. The latter necessity does not remove merit, when a man does voluntarily that
which is necessary in this way. It does however exclude the credit of supererogation, according to 1
Corinthians 9:16, If I preach the Gospel, it is no glory to me, for a necessity lieth upon me (II, 58).
Thomas Aquinas has an innumerable amount of strengths as an arguer. He is a persuasive writer,
he points out holes in popular objections, his arguments are complete, he uses the authority of the
Church, he doesnt shy away from controversial topics, and he is highly educated. Aquinas
argumentative weaknesses are few and observable only because an arguer cannot appeal to every
personality. Aquinas argument style has a lack of fluidity, the sources Aquinas uses can become
monotonous, and the language of the Summa can be hard to follow by students not accustomed to 12th
century diction.
Thomas Aquinas argued about important topics that are significant to daily life, therefore, his
argument is flexible enough to fit a wide range of circumstances and contexts. The class read Aquinas
extensive argument on law. Law itself, the effects, law pertaining to reason, promulgation of law, moral
law, etc. are all topics Aquinas wrote of and are applicable to todays society. Aquinas argues that a law
is always directed to the common good, one could use this argument and argue whether the death
penalty or abortion is truly for the common good and in the best interest of all parties. The Summa
Theologica states: Consequently, since the law is chiefly ordained to the common good, any other
precept in regard to some individual work, must needs be devoid of the nature of a law, save in so far as
it regards the common good. Therefore every law is ordained to the common good.(II, 90). The class
also read Aquinas argument on justice. Justice as a virtue, a general virtue, particular justice, and the
status of justice as a virtue are all facets of justice Aquinas wrote about. Justice could be used in the
argument of the recent migrant crisis. Whether or not it is just of countries to turn down refugees could
be argued using Aquinas excerpts.